Presentation/Packaging 5/5

The new kit from Blu Cigs comes with a whole slew of upgrades including an updated, very modern box. “Rise From The Ashes” is their new tagline, so Blu hasn’t lost any of their marketing wizardry, employing subtle but attractive graphics. They’ve swapped out the tired magnet-flap box for a top-sliding box with everything neatly stacked. The packaging inside is a little reminiscent of Apple’s packaging and it’s a fair use of the concept as this product is all about innovation.

Concerning innovation, there’s much to say about the new personal charging case (PCC). Right away I noticed the no-screw charging port for the battery. The battery can be simply dropped in and when the pack is closed, it charges. This is really great, especially for people like me with hot-dog fingers and the dexterity of a lobster. Gone are the frustrating days of trying to screw the battery into the pack and the feeling of performing surgery on an insect. The pack also lights up on opening, so you can see what you’re doing. The PCC has two triple-light indicators on the side, one for PCC charge and battery charge each. The “social” feature on the pack is an interesting inclusion in the new kit: the pack will vibrate and flash whenever another Blu user or retail location is within fifty feet. For some, this might seem a bit much, for others, a good reason to chat with a fellow e-cig user. However, I’m curious what affect this might have on the battery life. It’s not really needed. Regardless, bringing e-cig users together is a big step in changing attitudes and educating about electronic cigarettes. Even more impressive is that the pack uses a micro USB connection, which upon the release of software from blu, will allow the user to store and share social media (Facebook/Twitter) information in the pack. And if you don’t want to use it, you can easily turn the function on and off.

Battery/Responsiveness 4.5/5

Blu’s battery is one of the biggest upgrades in the new kit and it’s kept the cigarette sized length, making it one of the best transition products around. It’s incredibly light and easy to manipulate in your fingers. Of course like all super-mini or micro batteries, the life here is substantially shorter than many of the longer or bulkier batteries out there. However, Blu has listened to their customers and added the option to purchase a “100” length battery instead, which is a boon to anyone that puffs up a storm. In terms of responsiveness, the blu battery is extremely responsive and sometimes too responsive. Though if you keep the battery in the pack for storage (as the manual advises) it’s not really a problem.

Vapor/Flavor(s) 4/5

This is another category where Blu has done some work to legitimize e-cigs, through their exclusive use of Johnson Creek e-liquid. This is kind of old news, as Johnson Creek has been known for some time now as being the cleanest, most transparent and quality controlled e-juice vendor around. With Blu sticking with them for their product, has done a lot to allay general fears (often irrational) about electronic cigarettes. Beyond public opinion though, Blu’s new cartomizers produce an incredible amount of vapor with a very easy draw. This is of course in part to their use of 100% vegetable glycerin (VG), but their new cartomizers seem to last longer and crank out more vapor than previous versions. When I’d reviewed the ProSmoke earlier this year, another super-mini unit using 100% VG, I’d said that you won’t find another mini e-cig with that kind of vapor production. I may have to take that statement back, as these cartomizers produce as much, if not more than the three-piece from ProSmoke. The same flavors are still offered here and while they’re not as strong-tasting as many flavors you’ll find out there (an inherent quality of VG) they’re much improved- likely some of the best you’ll find among 100% VG liquids.

Overall (Not An Average) 5/5

I’ve given this kit an overall perfect score for a couple of broad reasons, among all the little things that I like about this kit. I’ve mentioned one throughout this review: Blu has put in the extra work. The continued use of Johnson Creek and their high quality juice and the sheer presence of their brand- these have gone a long way to further the knowledge that electronic cigarettes are legitimate, safe and have the potential to save lives. The other broad reason is simply this kit’s value as a transition product for the beginner (from cigarettes to e-cigarettes). While this kit might not work for some of the more experienced vapers out there who aren’t willing to give up the performance of mods or bigger units, for the smoker who’s ready to throw out the cigarettes and replace it with something satisfying, this will hit the mark every time. The easy-to-use, advanced PCC and the small size of the battery, combined with great vapor production make this kit remarkably impressive.

Presentation/Packaging 5/5

The Bedford Slims packaging is remarkably minimalist, it’s nice to avoid the large bulky boxes of old. However, the branding is the most charming thing about the kit. Mustaches are used heavily in all their artwork and on the products themselves. In fact, my kit came with several mustache stickers, which I immediately placed around my work area/on my coworkers.

I get the feeling that BedFord Slims strives to stay away from the large and grandiose kits of old, rather they choose a rugged sort of simplicity. Truly a thing of beauty. The vaporette starter system comes with 2 batteries, 5 Flavor Cartridges and 1 USB Recharger

Battery/Responsiveness 4/5

The vaporette starter system comes with two batteries. Both of these batteries held a charge well, though one of them didn’t seem to last as long as the other. Still, that’s probably just the exception to the rule.

Taking a drag, I noted that I was quite pleased with the vapor production. While certainly not as heavy a cloud as many more powerful mods and devices, it’s certainly one of the best among stick (or cig alike) batteries.

Vapor/Flavor(s) 3.5/5

The flavor of these cartridges is quite satisfying, I personally enjoyed the coffee flavor myself. One of the cool things about Bedford Slims is that you can order cartomizers with caffeine added. Being a caffeine junky, I paired it with a nice cup of joe in the morning. Just what the doctor ordered, I was firing on all cylinders in no time. A five pack of cartomizers is listed as being the equivalent of about 150 cigarettes. I didn’t find that to be the case, but that’s likely due to the fact that I’m puffing much more than the average person. I was always curious what metric they measured this against. Still, the cartridges held up well.

Overall (Not An Average) 5/5

Bedford Slims electronic cigarettes are a great way to being your electronic cigarette journey. With a two piece design, Bedford Slims Vaporette Starter system is simple and easy to use.

The branding is charming and inviting. Everything down to the text and font on the boxes is designed around providing you with an experience. For me, it just feels like some sort of classic product adapted for the modern age.

I’d recommend Bedford Slims to my friends, or to anyone looking for a gift for the smoker in their life.

Presentation/Packaging 4/5

At first sight, the Green Smoke box screams nature. Putting on the persona of being natural is clever way to market this product. It comes packaged in a green magnetic drop top box, which has the Green Smoke name and leaf, their iconic symbol. The Green Smoke comes with two batteries, a wall and USB charger, as well as corded charger which allows you to puff while your battery is charging. The instruction manual also does a great job explaining things, which can be a real boon for first time users. The package also comes with a Green Smoke membership card, which I suppose is just for fun, but not really necessary. Overall, I’m impressed with the packaging and general feel of the kit. It’s simple, yet elegant, not to mention easy to use.

Battery/Responsiveness 4.5/5

Green Smoke batteries are light weight and powerful. I rarely had to charge the battery more than once a day. On average, both batteries included in the kit kept a charge all day long. The corded charger also has an added benefit that I mentioned above, it allows you to use the product while charging the battery. This is a HUGE help and something that electronic cigarettes desperately needed. All vendors should follow suit. The battery was also quite responsive. A normal drag produced a large amount of vapor, which was very realistic and thick. No worries though, it dissipates really quickly.

Vapor/Flavor(s) 5/5

As previously mentioned, the Green Smoke just feels “natural.” I felt like I was actually smoking tobacco, but without the nasty smoke. I haven’t been a fan of tobacco flavors in the past, but Red Label Tobacco was one of the best tasting tobacco flavors that I’ve ever tried. It could be compared to Marlboro Reds, just the amount of flavor I like in a cigarette. I’ve enjoyed menthol every now and again, and I was pleased with their iteration, which has a very strong and refreshing mint taste. I’ve never really been into vanilla flavors, so it’s really not for me. Still, it tastes great. Honestly, I enjoy Green Smoke’s flavors more than any other brand I’ve tried, which says a lot. My hat goes off to them.

Overall (Not An Average) 5/5

Considering how much I like this product, it’s hard to think of many things that Green Smoke can improve upon. With a long lasting battery, easy to use product, and tasty flavors that should delight any palette. I’d recommend Green Smoke to anyone looking for an alternative to smoking or still seeking out “their” brand. Be sure to give us a shout out in the comments below, and let us know what you think! Use the coupon code below to save some cash.

Packaging/Presentation: 4/5

The Aqua Vapor EGO Starter Kit comes in a tank or cartridge style electronic cigarette, unlike the two-piece kit that I have reviewed by the company in the past. The product comes packaged in a black, square box, with the brand name and logo on the outside. The inside is packaged in two layers. On the top layer, you will see that the kit comes with two batteries, along with heat protectors. On the bottom layer, you will find the USB and wall chargers along with the manual.

Battery/Responsiveness: 3/5

The battery on the Aqua Vapor Ego Starter Kit was outstanding! It lasted for a little over a day at a time for me, and when I was charging the battery, I could use the other one that comes in the kit as my back-up, so I never went without smoking. The Responsiveness was not an issue as it’s a manual eGo battery. The battery gave enough power so it produced thick, vapor with each draw. I was really impressed with the battery overall.

Vapor/Flavors: 5/5

As mentioned earlier, the vapor was produced in thick, smoky clouds that were very satisfying and realistic as a previous smoker. The flavors offered with the Aqua Vapor Ego Starter Kit were phenomenal. They definitely have the most original flavors that I have seen and tried so far. For instance, the product has a Rbull flavor that is very comparable to the energy drink, Redbull, which I have never seen with an ecig before. They also offer blueberry, multiple tobacco flavors, menthol, and many many more. The array of flavors only added to the satisfaction with the vapor that was produced by the Aqua Vapor Ego Starter Kit.

Overall: 4/5 (Not An Average)

Overall, I was very happy with the Aqua Vapor Ego Starter Kit. It was a very exceptional eGo battery product, and I would definitely recommend it to any one interested in trying out e-liquid. The contents were packaged well, the battery life was great, and the vapor and flavors were outstanding.

Packaging and Presentation 2/5

The Aqua Vapor was packaged in a small magnetic drop box, with a very “corny” use of branding. The box had black and grey stripes with a branding symbol that was supposed to be an “A” and “V” (I assume). The contents were packaged individually within the box, and I did not find a manual that would help explain how to use the product to a beginner. For example, I am not a beginner, but the flavored cartomizers were very confusing in trying to figure out how to apply them to the battery to change to a menthol flavor. The product came with a USB and wall charger, and I am a huge fan of the USB. It’s very accessible and convenient for travel. Over all, I was disappointed in the presentation and packaging

Battery/Responsiveness 2.5/5

The battery had a fairly decent life. It seemed to last on average for around 3 hours, at least, before needing recharged. It had a cheap, “plastic-y” feel to it, which made me feel like I was smoking on a toy. The sensitivity of the battery was also decent at best. It took a deep breath to get a satisfactory amount of vapor from the product. The Aqua Vapor’s responsiveness wasn’t as sensitive as most of the other products that I have tried in the past, and therefore I wasn’t very satisfied.

Vapor/Flavor 2.5/5

The Aqua Vapor produced an abundant amount of vapor which I was very satisfied with. The only throwback to this was that it took an excessive inhale to get just the right amount of vapor out of the product. The vapor was very realistic, however, and looked like actual smoke in the air, as it lingered for a few seconds after each exhale. The flavor of the Aqua Vapor was fair. With the classic tobacco flavor, I didn’t think it was the best flavor I had ever tried, but it definitely wasn’t the worse tobacco flavor that I had ever had.

Overall 2.5/5 (Not an average)

Overall, I wasn’t very happy with the Aqua Vapor. It’s branding and packaging seemed corny to me, and it was confusing to assemble other flavored cartomizers to the battery when I wanted to change flavors. The battery had a decent life, but it wasn’t sensitive enough for my taste. I was satisfied with the vapor, and I thought the flavor was ok, even though it had room for improvement. If this was the first e-cig product that I had ever tried, I don’t know if I would still be an electronic cigarette fan today. Luckily, there can be improvements made, to enhance the Aqua Vapor to make it stand up to the other excellent products out there on the market today.

Packaging and Presentation 4/5

The Aqua Vapor DSE901 is a medium sized sleek little number sporting black on black stripes and standout white lettering. The logo on the front is somewhat modern and tribal at the same time. While the box is not large – like a cigar box – it is also not pocket sized. It would fit into a large handbag or backpack, but nothing smaller. Its also one of those “trick” boxes – it looks like a cover that the box slides out of, but is really a magnetic closure type of box.

Battery/Responsiveness 5/5

The battery for the Aqua Vapor ECig is about the same size as a regular cigarette with a life of around 3 hours. It looks unusual in that it has a button on the side that engages the battery. Don’t push the button – don’t get the vapor. This was a little uncomfortable at first and took some getting used to since you couldn’t hold the ecig as you normally would and smoke. The ecig was also very reminiscent of the Roaring 20’s as it utilizes a tapered mouthpiece. It reminded me of an old black and white movie where Greta Garbo was smoking the foot long cigarette in the black mouthpiece. The packaging included a USB charger as well as a wall charger for easy accessibility in recharging the battery. It takes about an 2 ½ hours to completely recharge the battery using either method.

Vapor/Flavor 4/5

Once you remember to push the button, the vapor was outstanding. The longer you push it, the more vapor. I was very impressed with not only the amount of vapor, but also the flavor. The flavor was comparable with a regular medium flavored cigarette. Since the cartomizers were extremely small (enclosed in the mouthpiece) and the ecig itself was 3 pieces, I expected to lose flavor and vapor and was pleasantly surprised when this didn’t happen. The cartomizers, though small, packed a good punch and lasted longer than some of the other ecigs I have sampled.

Overall 4/5 (Not an average)

The AquaVapor Ecig is something I think I would like to own. Although the box won’t fit in a pocket, the charger will. The solid black, 3 piece ecig looked sophisticated and smoked like a dream. This one is definitely worth the cost.

Packaging/Presentation: 3/5

The Aqua Vapor 510 One is a two piece ecig with cartomizer and manual battery. Kits come with wall charger, usb plug and the ever handy charging pack. The charging pack has a nice sleek look, basic black with a neon green logo reminiscent of a Type O Negative album cover which is a plus for me. The pack holds five cartomizers, battery and another plus; a a slot that holds an assembled cigarette. The only downside is that the lid will not close all the way with an assembled cigarette inside. Depending on how particular you are about that sort of thing, it can be easily overlooked. What it lacks in that area it more than makes up for the easy organization and portability as well as a handy meter that displays the battery life of the pack.

Battery/Responsiveness: 3/5

This kit had a manual battery, of which I was not a fan. The button on it is particularly large and protruding but on the a manual battery conserves battery life. After several draws through out the day however, I feel that for a manual battery it could have lasted a little longer. It seemed to die after a some heavy draws over the course of few hours but again it has a handy charging pack which seems to charge quickly and since it comes with two you’ll have one on hand at all times. The charging pack itself is quite excellent. It retained a charge for several days after quite a few battery rotations. The draw is not too bad. It makes a bit of pop with a new cartomizer once you start but the pull isn’t too hard and it produces a nice heavy vapor.

Vapor/Flavors: 2.5/5

The flavor of I tried was a tobacco. It has subtle undertones of tobacco but it could stand to be a little more. The taste is still noticeably artificial and a little bit like the smell of a fog machine and once the cart starts to run out the artificial flavor becomes more abrasive. If you’re the type that likes to milk your cartomizers for all they’re worth, I wouldn’t recommend it. You’ll be quick to switch to a new one once the flavor runs out and the aftertaste kicks in. But if the regular tobacco doesn’t tickle your fancy the Aqua Vapor does offer the refillable cartomizer and a variety of liquids and of course there’s always menthol. As far as throat hit goes, it is smooth but not too sharp. It’s good for those who prefer a more mild sensation.

Overall: 3/5 (Not An Average)

Overall I give the Aqua Vapor 510 a 3 out of 5. The packaging and portability of the charge pack makes it convenient and attractive, all though there is the minor flaw of the lid not closing all the way. The battery is dependable but the flavor leaves a little to be desired but it satisfies none the less.

Presentation/Packaging 5/5

The Apollo ECig packaging is a very classic little black box. It reminded me of watching old movies of the Roaring 20’s with all the elite having their little cigarette cases. The box is about the size of a normal pack of cigarettes and is very lightweight and easy to handle. The closure on the box is very secure and does not open at will when in a purse or pocket.

Battery/Responsiveness 4/5

The battery for the Apollo ECig is sleek and slim – compared to my actual cigarette it is an exact match in size. I expected the battery to be heavier than it was, but found that, when necessary, I could hold it between my lips without feeling like I was going to drop it. Although the responsiveness was adequate for my taste, I must say that I was a little disappointed in the battery life. After 2 ½ hours, it was time for a recharge, but I did heavily use the unit (I used to chain smoke.) The recharging process was extremely easy as the box contains a recharger and extra battery. When the recharger in the box runs low, you just plug into any USB outlet and you’re ready to go in no time.

Vapor/Flavor(s) 4/5

I was thoroughly impressed with the flavor and vapor produced by the Apollo ECig after the first couple of minutes. When first drawing on the ECig, I noticed that my lips were damp and sticky. I rubbed my finger across the end of the cartomizer and noticed a slight moisture. Once the “newness” wore off, the flavor reminded me of the taste of an actual “light” cigarette (not full flavor). When exhaling I thought I was smoking an actual cigarette as there was plenty of vapor being expelled.

Overall 4/5 (Not An Average)

I am exceptionally pleased with the Apollo ECig as a substitute for my continual pack. The only disappointment was that once you look at the package you expect a slim sophisticated cigarette – go back to the old movies and check out the cigarette holders and really long cigarettes. Maybe I expected a black battery and cartomizer to complete the classic look of the box. Still, design squabbles aside, I think it’s a great kit for the beginner.